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Abstract:

A deck deployment system is adapted to facilitate transfer of personnel
between spaced elevations. The deck deployment system includes a deck
defining a substantially flat and continuous deck surface for supporting
personnel. A convertible stairway is hinged to the deck and adapted for
movement between a stowed condition and a deployed condition. The
convertible stairway includes an adjustable frame assembly and a series
of articulating horizontally-disposed foot treads carried by the frame
assembly. The foot treads remain substantially horizontal upon movement
of the stairway between the stowed condition and the deployed condition.
When the stairway is in the stowed condition, the foot treads integrate
with the deck to form a substantially flat and continuous portion of the
deck surface. When the stairway is in the deployed condition, the foot
treads cooperate to form steps extending from the deck to an elevation
spaced from the deck surface.

Claims:

1. A deck deployment system adapted to facilitate transfer of personnel
between spaced elevations, said deck deployment system comprising:a deck
defining a substantially flat and continuous deck surface for supporting
personnel;a convertible stairway hinged to said deck and adapted for
movement between a stowed condition and a deployed condition, said
convertible stairway comprising an adjustable frame assembly and a series
of articulating horizontally-disposed foot treads carried by said frame
assembly, said foot treads remaining substantially horizontal upon
movement of said stairway between the stowed condition and the deployed
condition, such that:when said stairway is in the stowed condition, said
foot treads integrate with said deck to form substantially flat and
continuous portion of said deck surface; andwhen said stairway is in the
deployed condition, said foot treads cooperate to form steps extending
from said deck to an elevation spaced from said deck surface.

2. A deck deployment system according to claim 1, wherein each of said
foot treads defines a substantially planar rectangular surface comprising
opposing front and back ends and opposing side ends.

3. A deck deployment system according to claim 2, wherein said adjustable
frame assembly comprises cooperating pairs of laterally-spaced tread
support rails and laterally-spaced tread adjustment rails, and each of
said foot treads being connected to said tread support rails at opposite
side ends of said foot tread proximate the back end of said foot tread,
and to said tread adjustment rails at opposite side ends of said foot
tread proximate the front end of said foot tread.

4. A deck deployment system according to claim 1, and comprising a base
platform located below said deck, and adapted for supporting said
stairway in the deployed condition.

5. A deck deployment system according to claim 4, and comprising a fixed
personnel ladder extending between said base platform and said deck.

6. A deck deployment system according to claim 1, and comprising at least
one handrail located at a perimeter of said deck surface.

7. A deck deployment system according to claim 1, wherein said convertible
stairway in the deployed condition forms a central deployment passage in
said deck, said deployment passage being entirely surrounded by said deck
surface.

8. A deck deployment system according to claim 1, and comprising a
vehicle-mount frame assembly attached to said deck, and adapted for
mounting said deck on a tactical vehicle.

9. A deck deployment system according to claim 1, and comprising an
adjustable end ramp attached to said deck.

10. In combination with a tactical vehicle, a deck deployment system
adapted to facilitate transfer of personnel between spaced elevations,
said deck deployment system comprising:a deck defining a substantially
flat deck surface for supporting personnel;a convertible stairway hinged
to said deck and adapted for movement between a stowed condition and a
deployed condition, said convertible stairway comprising an adjustable
frame assembly and a series of articulating horizontally-disposed foot
treads carried by said frame assembly, said foot treads remaining
substantially horizontal upon movement of said stairway between the
stowed condition and the deployed condition, such that:when said stairway
is in the stowed condition, said foot treads integrate with said deck to
form substantially flat and continuous portion of said deck surface;
andwhen said stairway is in the deployed condition, said foot treads
cooperate to form steps extending from said deck to an elevation spaced
from said deck surface.

11. A tactical vehicle according to claim 10, wherein each of said foot
treads defines a substantially planar rectangular surface comprising
opposing front and back ends and opposing side ends.

12. A tactical vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said adjustable
frame assembly comprises cooperating pairs of laterally-spaced tread
support rails and laterally-spaced tread adjustment rails, and each of
said foot treads being connected to said tread support rails at opposite
side ends of said foot tread proximate the back end of said foot tread,
and to said tread adjustment rails at opposite side ends of said foot
tread proximate the front end of said foot tread.

13. A tactical vehicle according to claim 10, and comprising a base
platform located below said deck, and adapted for supporting said
stairway in the deployed condition.

14. A tactical vehicle according to claim 13, and comprising a fixed
personnel ladder extending between said base platform and said deck.

15. A tactical vehicle according to claim 10, and comprising at least one
handrail located at a perimeter of said deck surface.

16. A tactical vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said convertible
stairway in the deployed condition forms a central deployment passage in
said deck, said deployment passage being entirely surrounded by said deck
surface.

17. A tactical vehicle according to claim 10, and comprising a
vehicle-mount frame assembly attached to said deck, and mounting said
deck on said tactical vehicle.

18. A tactical vehicle according to claim 10, and comprising an adjustable
end ramp attached to said deck and projecting outwardly from a front of
said tactical vehicle.

19. A method for transferring personnel between spaced elevations, said
method comprising:from a deck mounted on a tactical vehicle and
comprising a deck surface for supporting personnel, moving a convertible
stairway attached to the deck from a stowed condition to a deployed
condition, wherein in the stowed condition, the stairway integrates with
the deck to form a substantially flat and continuous portion of the deck
surface, and in the deployed condition, the stairway converts to form
steps extending from the deck to an elevation spaced from the deck
surface; andutilizing the stairway in the deployed condition to transfer
between the deck surface and the spaced elevation.

20. A method according to claim 19, and comprising locating a fixed
personnel ladder between the deck and the spaced elevation.

[0002]Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described
below. Use of the term "exemplary" means illustrative or by way of
example only, and any reference herein to "the invention" is not intended
to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one
or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present
specification.

[0003]According to one exemplary embodiment, a deck deployment system is
adapted to facilitate transfer of personnel between spaced elevations.
The deck deployment system includes a deck defining a substantially flat
and continuous deck surface for supporting personnel. A convertible
stairway is hinged to the deck and adapted for movement between a stowed
condition and a deployed condition. The convertible stairway includes an
adjustable frame assembly and a series of articulating
horizontally-disposed foot treads carried by the frame assembly. The foot
treads remain substantially horizontal upon movement of the stairway
between the stowed condition and the deployed condition. When the
stairway is in the stowed condition, the foot treads integrate with the
deck to form a substantially flat and continuous portion of the deck
surface. When the stairway is in the deployed condition, the foot treads
cooperate to form steps extending from the deck to an elevation spaced
from the deck surface.

[0004]According to another exemplary embodiment, each of the foot treads
defines a substantially planar rectangular surface comprising opposing
front and back ends and opposing side ends.

[0005]According to another exemplary embodiment, the adjustable frame
assembly incorporates cooperating pairs of laterally-spaced tread support
rails and laterally-spaced tread adjustment rails. Each of the foot
treads is connected to the tread support rails at opposite side ends of
the foot tread proximate the back end of the foot tread, and to the tread
adjustment rails at opposite side ends of the foot tread proximate the
front end of the foot tread.

[0006]According to another exemplary embodiment, a base platform is
located below the deck and adapted for supporting the stairway in the
deployed condition.

[0007]According to another exemplary embodiment, a fixed personnel ladder
extends between the base platform and the deck.

[0008]According to another exemplary embodiment, at least one handrail is
located at a perimeter of the deck surface.

[0009]According to another exemplary embodiment, the convertible stairway
in the deployed condition forms a central deployment passage in the deck.
The deployment passage may be entirely surrounded by the deck surface.

[0010]According to another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle-mount frame
assembly is attached to the deck and adapted for mounting the deck on a
tactical vehicle.

[0011]According to another exemplary embodiment, an adjustable end ramp is
attached to the deck.

[0012]In another exemplary embodiment, the invention comprises a tactical
vehicle which incorporates a deck deployment system, as described herein.
The term "tactical vehicle" refers broadly herein to any self-propelled,
boosted, or towed military and non-military (e.g., police) conveyance
capable of transport by land, sea, or air. The vehicle may have wheels,
tracks, skids, floats, and/or other maneuvering structure.

[0013]In yet another exemplary embodiment, the invention comprises a
method for transferring personnel between spaced elevations. The method
includes, from a deck mounted on a tactical vehicle and comprising a deck
surface for supporting personnel, moving a convertible stairway attached
to the deck from a stowed condition to a deployed condition. In the
stowed condition, the stairway integrates with the deck to form a
substantially flat and continuous portion of the deck surface. In the
deployed condition, the stairway converts to form steps extending from
the deck to an elevation spaced from the deck surface. The stairway is
utilized by personnel in the deployed condition to transfer between the
deck surface and the spaced elevation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]The description of exemplary embodiments proceeds in conjunction
with the following drawings, in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a tactical motor vehicle incorporating
a rear deck deployment system according to one exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the deck deployment system removed
from the vehicle, and showing the convertible stairway in a deployed
condition extending between the deck surface and the lower platform;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the deck deployment system removed
from the vehicle, and showing the convertible stairway in the stowed
condition;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the convertible stairway and an
adjacent portion of the deck, and showing the stairway in the deployed
condition;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a further perspective view of the convertible stairway
with various components exploded away;

[0020]FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the deck showing the
removable retention pin applicable for locking the stairway in the stowed
condition; and

[0021]FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are sequential side views of the convertible
stairway demonstrating its conversion from a substantially flat and
continuous deck surface to a fully deployed stairway.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

[0022]The present invention is described more fully hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more exemplary
embodiments of the invention are shown. Like numbers used herein refer to
like elements throughout. This invention may, however, be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so
that this disclosure will be operative, enabling, and complete.
Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be
illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention,
which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and
all equivalents thereof. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations,
variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be
implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within
the scope of the present invention.

[0023]Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a
generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be
given their broad ordinary and customary meaning not inconsistent with
that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any
specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article
"a" is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is
intended, the term "one", "single", or similar language is used. When
used herein to join a list of items, the term "or" denotes at lease one
of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list.

[0024]For exemplary methods or processes of the invention, the sequence
and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not
restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of
various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a
sequence or temporal arrangement, the steps of any such processes or
methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence
or arrangement, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such
processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different
sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the
present invention.

[0025]Additionally, any references to advantages, benefits, unexpected
results, or operability of the present invention are not intended as an
affirmation that the invention has been previously reduced to practice or
that any testing has been performed. Likewise, unless stated otherwise,
use of verbs in the past tense (present perfect or preterite) is not
intended to indicate or imply that the invention has been previously
reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed.

[0026]Referring now specifically to the drawings, a tactical
self-propelled motor vehicle "V" incorporating a rear deck deployment
system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 1. The deck deployment system is indicated generally
at reference numeral 10. In addition to the system 10, the tactical
vehicle "V" may comprise wheels 11, a cab portion 12, and a rear bed 14,
and other generally conventional parts and assemblies (not shown)
including, for example, a heavy duty chassis, suspension, engine, clutch,
gears, differential, drive shaft, driveline, drive train, transmission,
and axles.

[0027]As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the deck deployment system 10
includes a vehicle-mount frame assembly 15 incorporating front and rear
vertical supports 16A, 16B, 17A, 17B and opposing horizontal side beams
18A, 18B. Each side beam 18A, 18B may comprise a single integrally-formed
structural element or a series of elements bolted or welded together (or
otherwise attached) end-to-end between a cooperating pair of front and
rear vertical supports 16A, 17A and 16B, 17B. The side beams 18A, 18B may
attach to respective pairs of vertical supports 16A, 17A and 16B, 17B by
bolts, rivets, welding, or other suitable means. The front vertical
supports 16A, 16B may attach to a front of the vehicle "V" using, for
example, mounting brackets, plates and other hardware. The rear vertical
supports 17A, 17B mount to a step assembly 19 attached to the vehicle
chassis.

[0028]An elevated personnel deck 20 is carried by the vehicle-mount frame
assembly 15, and defines a substantially flat and continuous deck surface
21 for supporting personnel. In one embodiment, the elevated deck 20
extends from the front to the rear of the vehicle "V", and may comprise a
cantilevered adjustable front ramp 22 and pivoted deck section 23 (or
main ramp) designed to elevate via one or more hydraulic actuators (not
shown). One example of an adjustable front end ramp system applicable for
use in the present vehicle is described in Applicant's prior issued
patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,667. The complete disclosure of this prior
patent is incorporated herein by reference.

[0029]In the exemplary embodiment shown, a convertible hinged stairway 25
is located at a rear section of the deck 20 in an area generally above
the vehicle bed 14. The vehicle bed 14 may be formed by (or include) a
separately attached base platform 26 vertically spaced from the deck 20
at an elevation closer to the road or ground surface. As demonstrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the convertible stairway 25 is designed to pivot between a
deployed condition (FIG. 2), wherein the stairway 25 extends from the
elevated deck 20 to the platform 26, and a stowed condition shown in FIG.
3.

[0030]Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the convertible stairway 25 is
constructed of an adjustable frame assembly 30 and a series of
articulating horizontally-disposed foot treads 31 carried by the frame
assembly 30. In the present exemplary embodiment, each foot tread 31
defines a substantially planar and continuous rectangular surface 32
including opposing front and back ends 33, 34 and opposing side ends 35,
36. The top surface 32 of each foot tread 31 may be perforated and/or
textured. The adjustable frame assembly 30 includes cooperating pairs of
laterally-spaced tread support rails 41A, 41B and tread adjustment rails
42A, 42B. Each of the foot treads 31 may be pivotably connected to the
tread support rails 41A, 41B at opposite side ends 35, 36 of the foot
tread 31 proximate the back end 34, and to the tread adjustment rails
42A, 42B at opposite side ends 35, 36 proximate the front end 33 of the
foot tread 31. The tread support and adjustment rails 41A, 41B, 42A, 42B
are each pivotably attached to respective stairway mount channels 45A,
45B affixed to the elevated deck 20. Each stairway mount channel 45A, 45B
defines two spaced connecting points 46 and 47--one for pivotably
attaching the tread support rail 41 and the other for pivotably attaching
the tread adjustment rail 42. Stabilizing feet 48A, 48B may be located at
respective free ends of the tread adjustment rails 42A, 42B for engaging
the platform 26 and further stabilizing the stairway 25 in the deployed
condition.

[0031]In one exemplary implementation, the foot treads 31 remain
substantially horizontal upon pivoting movement of the stairway 25
between the stowed and deployed conditions. As such, when the stairway 25
is in the stowed condition, as shown in FIG. 3, the foot treads 31
integrate with the deck 20 to form a substantially flat and continuous
portion 21A of the deck surface 21. The stairway 25 may be secured in
this condition by removable pins (e.g., pin 49 shown in FIG. 6) passed
through respective pin holes 51, 52 formed with the tread support rails
41A, 41B and through mounting plates (e.g., plate 54 in FIG. 6) fixed to
the deck 20. To convert the stairway 25, the pins 49 are removed and one
or more gas springs (not shown) operate to lower the stairway 25 in a
controlled manner to the deployed condition shown in FIG. 2. When the
stairway 25 is deployed, the foot treads 31 cooperate to form steps "S",
shown in FIG. 1, extending from the elevated deck 20 to the platform 26.
In this condition, the convertible stairway 25 forms a central or core
deployment passage 60 (See FIG. 2) in the deck 20. The deployment passage
60 may be entirely or partially surrounded by the deck surface 21.
Additionally, one or more handrails 61 (or safety rails) may be located
at a perimeter of the elevated deck 20 adjacent the deployment passage
60. As a further means of transferring personnel to and from the elevated
deck 20, the vehicle "V" may include a pair of rear stationary (fixed)
ladders 62, 63.

[0032]FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 demonstrate simultaneous articulation of the foot
treads 31 upon movement of the convertible stairway 25 between the stowed
and deployed conditions. As shown in FIG. 7, in the stowed condition, the
foot treads 31 of the stairway 25 cooperate to define a substantially
flat, continuous, and integrated portion 21A of the deck surface 21, as
previous described. As the stairway 25 is gradually lowered, the tread
adjustment rails 42A, 42B pivot the foot treads 31 in unison relative to
the tread support rails 41A, 41B, thereby maintaining each foot tread 31
in a substantially horizontal orientation. See FIG. 8. The offset spacing
of pivot connecting points 46, 47 enable substantially precise angular
adjustment of each foot tread 31 as the stairway 25 continues to lower
from the deck surface 21 to a deployed condition, such as that shown in
FIG. 9. In this implementation, the stairway 25 may be lowered to rest at
any selected angle relative to the platform 26 or other support carried
on the platform 26, while the series of foot treads 31 remain horizontal.
As such, the vertical distance between the deck 20 and platform 26 (or
other support carried on the platform) may be modified as desired without
sacrificing any advantages of a horizontally-treaded stairway 25 for
transferring personnel between elevations.

[0033]In alternative exemplary embodiments, the convertible stairway may
be designed to mechanically lift from the elevated deck surface to a
higher elevation, or may be mounted to the platform and designed to
mechanically lift to the elevated deck. Additionally, the present deck
deployment system may be utilized separate and apart from the tactical
vehicle as a means to facilitate transfer of personnel between any spaced
elevations. All components and assemblies of the vehicle and system
described herein may be interconnected using any suitable hardware, such
as pivot pins, bolts, nuts, brackets, screws, or the like, and other
means, such as welding and self-locking joints.

[0034]Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described above.
No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be
construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential to the
invention unless explicitly described as such. Although only a view of
the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those
skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are
possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from
the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all
such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0035]In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover
the structures described herein as performing the recited function and
not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus,
although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a
nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together,
whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of
fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.
Unless the exact language "means for" (performing a particular function
or step) is recited in the claims, a construction under §112, 6th
paragraph is not intended. Additionally, it is not intended that the
scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by
reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly
appear in the claim itself.